FROM OUR TEAMS
Rest and Relaxation: What Do You Do to De-stress?
1 MIN READ
There is nothing quite like curling up with that book you have been wanting to read while sipping on a soothing cup of tea. Perhaps taking in a yoga class or heading outdoors for a walk is more of your style. Finding ways to rest, relax, and de-stress after a long day or week at work is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining one's mental and physical health. The stress and burnout that many have experienced as we continue the battle with Covid-19 are immense, but there are many ways that one can try and maintain their sanity during it all.
Recently, a question was asked of the HMH Unit Administrative Assistant (UAA) team, “How Do You Relax and De-Stress?” This question focused on the theme of self-care, rest, relaxation, recovery, and de-stressing. Several UAAs/Secretaries responded to this question by sharing things that they do to relax and de-stress after a shift or on their off days. It is great to hear your fellow UAAs/Secretaries' thoughts, activities, and gain new relaxation ideas that you may be interested in incorporating into their own lives. Dolores “Dorie” Bauri, UAA, OPC 19 PACU - “For me, I like to be around with my family having some outdoor fun in the park and watching the little ones play, or just sitting around and people-watching. It brings me joy and relaxation to zone out and just watch some people have fun.” Amie Gatewood, Secretary II, MICU, Alkek 9 IMU & Fondren 10 IMU - “Every evening after work, I take time to focus on myself. My relaxation time consists of 1 1/2 to 2 hours sitting in my garage or computer room, playing spades, and/or listening to my favorite R&B slow jams. These two places and activities help me unwind and focus on the finer things in life. My de-stressing moments consist of exercising and dancing to TikTok videos. My family thinks I am going through a TikTok phase in my later years, but I call it Amie's time for laughter and good times, all while learning and mastering all the new dance moves.😎😎😎 Versaillers “Salle” Richard, UAA, Neurosensory AOD - “Relaxing....something of the long-ago past, I believe. But, on a recent holiday weekend, I took out some time to read a book. Romances are my favorite. It took my mind away from everything as I was consumed with the sights, smells, places, and characters the author so splendidly wove together for entertainment purposes. I hadn't done that for a very long time and must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, uninterrupted, to its end.” Tammie Tillis, UAA, Jones 11 - “Worship music and tea helps me de-stress.” Daidre Perkins, UAA, Fondren 12 - “I de-stress by doing yoga daily and laying out in my hammock in the evening. Being out in nature also helps me detach and relax.” Jamal Samuels, UAA, Dunn 7W - “I relax and de-stress by meditating, surrounding myself with nature, listening to music, doing a little shopping "therapy", self-pampering, and going for a long bike ride on Buffalo Bayou. Hiking the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is also one of my favorite activities to help me de-stress.”
Again, maintaining not only your physical but mental health is extremely important. There are many ways to de-stress, as your colleagues have mentioned. It is hard to take care of others when you are not feeling your best. Reading, writing in a journal, listening to music, exercising, spending time with family and friends, meditating are just some of the many things that people do to relax, de-stress, and restore themselves on a daily or weekly basis. Give one of these a try and see where it takes you.
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